Improvement in throttle-valves for locomotive-engines



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

GEORGEV RICHARDS, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

IMPROVEMENT lN THROTTLE-VALVES FOR LOCOMOTIVE-ENGINES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 78,012, dated May 19, 1868.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE RIoHARDs, of Boston, in the county of Suffolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Throttle-Valves of Locomotives, of which the foliowin g is aful1,elear, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, making apart of this specification, in Which- Figure 1 represents a vertical transverse section of the cylinder and valves of a locomotive-engine. Fig. 2 represents a top or plan view ofthe same with the valves open. Fig. Sis also a plan view, With the valves closed.

The object of my invention is to `relieve the throttle-valve of a locomotive-en gine of a part ofthe pressure of the steam, and thus reduce the friction at the time of starting the engine, so that the main valve may be more easily operated to admit a larger or smaller amount ot' steam, as may be desirable; and the invention consists in the employment ot' an additional orsupplemental valve in combination with the main valve, and so arranged as to be operated by the same lever which controls the main valve, for the purpose of admitting a small amount of steam through the supplemental valve by the rst movement of the lever, and by a continuation of the movement of the lever steam will be admitted through the main valve in the usual manner. In starting a locomotive-engine it is often very difficult, on account of the friction caused by the great pressure of the steam upon the throttlevalve, to move the valve gradually, so as to admit of a suiiiciently small amount of steam to simply start the engine. The exertion required to move the valve is such that when once started it is liable to move more than is actually required, and thus a large amount of steam is admitted, which causes the engine to start suddenly, and results in jarring `the train, sometimes to such an extent as to break the connection between the cars.

Referring to the drawings, S represents the steam-pipe, and A A the common slide-valve, having one or more ports, B B. Upon the top of this valve is placed a smaller or supplemental valve, C, having a small port, D. The main valve has also an additional port, E, of a size corresponding with the port D in the small valve. The valve G is attached to the upper end of the actuating-lever F, which lever passes through a slot or opening, f, ot' a continuation of the main valve.

When the engine is to be started, the valves being closed, the lever F is drawn back, which opensthe valve O, and pla-ces the ports D and E in communication with each other, by which means steam is admitted to the under side of the main valve, and thus relieves it of a great part of thepressure. The move-- ment of the lever being continued, the main valve is then easily withdrawn and steam admitted to the main ports, as desired.

It will thus be seen that the operation of starting the engine is rendered very easy, giving the engineer perfect control of the valve, and enabling him to move as gradually as may be desired.

I do not conne myself to the exact arrangement of the smaller or secondary valve, as it may be placed in any suitable position where it can be operated as above described.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The arrangement of an additional or supplementary valve with the throttle-valve of a locomotiveengine, when both are operated by one and the same lever, substantially as and for the purpose specified..

In testimony whereofI have signed my name to this speciiication in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

eEo. RICHARDS.

Witnesses:

J. H. ADAMS, M. S. G. WILDE. 

